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Source: <<A>> book of architecture containing designs of buildings and ornaments / by James Gibbs. http://www.e-rara.ch/zut/content/pageview/203800

Transcript

(iv)

The Church of St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster, being much decayed and in danger of falling, the Parishioners obtain'd an Act of Parliament for Rebuilding it at their own charges. The Commissioners appointed therein were pleased to make choice of me for Surveyor of that Work; and several Plans of different Forms being prepar'd and laid before them, they fix'd upon the following, as most proper for that Site. There were two Designs made for a Round Church, which were approved by the Commissioners, but were laid aside upon account of the expensiveness of executing them; tho' they were more capacious and convenient than what they pitch'd upon: I have inserted them likewise in this book. The Commissioners having sign'd the Plan agreed on, gave me orders to begin the Work; and every thing being ready for laying the Foundation, His Majesty was pleased to direct the Right Reverend the Bishop of Salisbury, then Lord Almoner, attended by Sir Thomas Hewyt, then Surveyor General, to lay the first Stone of this Fabrick; upon which was fix'd the following Inscription:

• D.S.
• SERENISSIMUS REX GEORGIUS
• PER DEPUTATUM SUUM
• REVdom ADMODUM IN Xto PATREM
• RICHARDUM EPISCOP. SARISBUR.
• SUMMUM SUUM ELEEMOSYNARIUM
• ADSISTENTE (REGIS JUSSU)
• Dno THO. HEWYT EQU. AUR.
• AEDIFICIORUM REGIORUM CURATORE PRINCIPALI
• PRIMUM HUJUS ECCLESIAE LAPIDEM
• POSUIT
• MARTII XIXo ANo Dni MDCCXXI
• ANNOQUE REGNI SUI VIIIvo

This Ceremony being over, I proceeded with the Building, and finished it in five Years; which, notwithstanding the great Oeconomy of the Commissioners, cost the Parish upwards of 32.000 Pounds. I have given here seven plates of this Church.

PLATE I.
A perspective View of it, taken from the South-West Corner, shewing the South Side and West Front, with the Steeple.

PLATE